Manchester United won’t look back fondly on the result vs Crystal Palace but they can build on the performance that should only get better as players return.
The game saw the return of two more players, as Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount made the squad, with the Dane coming off the bench too.
It was his first competitive appearance this season after getting injured within 15 minutes of his first pre-season game.
He looked understandably rusty and the whole team looked a lot less functional once Joshua Zirkzee came off but Hojlund’s style of play, focused more on scoring, will be priceless as the season goes on.
The man himself has now sent an exciting message to fans after his return, with the player looking forward to one thing in particular…
Rasmus Hojlund’s message after injury return
In a tricky game where Crystal Palace were starting to get to grips with United, Hojlund possibly came on at the most difficult time to make an impact.
However, that also means that getting subbed on in an intense game will be better for his gaining match rhythm a bit quicker.
The striker certainly enjoyed the experience, as he posted on Instagram after the game that he “loved” to be back on the pitch and looking forward to continuing now.
He posted a picture of himself alongside Matthijs de Ligt and said that being back at Old Trafford is what he’s excited about the most.
He said: “Loved to be out there again. We go again on Wednesday. Gonna be so good to be back at Old Trafford.”
United will begin their Europa League campaign on Wednesday with a tie at Old Trafford vs FC Twente, a team that has a long history with Erik ten Hag.
The manager might use that game to rotate more as the intensity is unlikely to match that of a Premier League game.
There’s a chance Hojlund starts that game and gets about 60 minutes as he effectively builds himself up on the job with all the pressure of delivering since he missed the pre-season.
Ideal team for Hojlund
Hojlund showed last season that he is a superstar in the making in the limited minutes he received. His United career has been stop-start due to injuries so far.
However, in Zirkzee, there is an option now to bring along Hojlund in a role that he should have been in all along- coming off the bench against tired legs or as a backup to a more experienced striker for rotation.
Furthermore, the team is now creating chances, while Hojlund was feeding off scraps last season. The striker still managed to hit double figures in goals across all competitions which speaks to his finishing acumen.
That acumen is precisely what’s missing from the current team so Hojlund becomes the ideal addition to a functional team while last season he was a bandage of goals in a dysfunctional one.
The comeback begins vs FC Twente under the Old Trafford lights on a European night, even if it’s not the Champions League.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
